Spiral. As the situation unfolded, the word “spiral” came to mind. I felt as if I were trapped in the midst of a whirlwind of confusion.
Suddenly getting married, abruptly leaving the capital, and discovering something strange about the baby’s body…
“Pregnant?”
Is it possible? Me? A baby? After receiving the unbelievable diagnosis of “pregnant” from the doctor, I was in a daze all day. I couldn’t fathom how to accept this reality thrust before me.
Of course, Karl and I have our lovely daughter, Valery, and I had confirmed that she wasn’t born from the previous Celeste, so I did think vaguely that one day a new life might come from me.
But to be pregnant so suddenly!
“Your Highness, are you alright? You don’t look well.”
After the pregnancy diagnosis, everyone around me began to treat me differently. While they previously addressed me respectfully as the Grand Duchess, their demeanor had shifted to a whole new level. It seemed that now, with my condition, they were more cautious in their behavior toward me.
“No, it’s not that I look unwell. I’m just a bit surprised.”
Their behavior and gazes were burdensome. People, especially those close to me—Leev, Cecilia, Hannah, and Kendrick—treated me as they did Valery.
They seemed anxious, as if I might vanish if they squeezed too tightly, or fly away if they let me be. Whenever I attempted to take a step, all four reached out at once, visibly worried. It felt like I had become a patient with a grave illness.
“By the way, I heard Minister Linke departed?”
“Yes. The Ministry of Magic sent out an urgent first team, and they’re planning to dispatch a second team with more personnel.”
“I see.”
“Oh, and…”
“And?”
“A telegram arrived this morning. It stated that Minister Linke must return to LaHart upon his arrival.”
Kendrick’s voice was serious. He truly was like a bear.
Despite his large stature, he spoke so little that witnessing him speak loudly was rare. He silently focused on his tasks. If I were to describe Kendrick in a single sentence, that would be it.
“We’re returning to the capital?”
This was welcome news. Finally, the frustrating days of this recovery would come to an end!
“So does that mean they’ve caught the culprit?”
After all, I had come here to recover in order to track down those who had attacked Valery and me while hiding safely. Now returning meant that the reason for leaving the capital was resolved, right?
“It seems so, especially with the imminent vote.”
“Electoral voting. I’ve heard of it. It was said that the authority passed to me when Duke Schwaben, one of those qualified as a prince-elector, suddenly passed away.
“They’ve moved the voting up by a week.”
“A week?”
Isn’t that too soon? I worried if I could return to the capital, gather myself, and participate in the voting within that time.
“If Minister Linke hurries, he should arrive before the vote. Even if it takes a whole day to check on Lady Louisette’s condition, he should be able to reach the capital before the prince-elector vote, Your Highness.”
Kendrick, perhaps sensing my anxiety, hurried to explain.
“It would be wise to inform His Grace about my condition, right?”
“Yes. He’ll surely take extra precautions.”
I was curious and worried about how Karl would react upon hearing the news of the pregnancy, creating a contradictory feeling within me. My hand instinctively moved to my belly. Casually, I stroked it over my clothes, imagining how Karl might feel.
Although I had abruptly left the capital, everything seemed to be returning to its original course. But before that, I had to resolve Valerie’s condition quickly. When Minister Linke arrived, we would understand what happened to Valerie. It had to be.
After I safely entered the bedroom, Kendrick hurriedly left to send a new telegram to the capital. Ever since learning about the pregnancy, every moment had felt so chaotic.
Then, two days after Minister Linke’s arrival, I received shocking news that was beyond anything I had previously encountered.”
***
The Ministry of Magic’s second expedition has begun. Stilikov quickly met with one of the bureaucrats included in the second expedition, claiming he urgently requests permission for a “magical stone invention.” Under the pretense of discussing the permit, he attached an item he had mentioned to Franz behind the bureaucrat’s back.
The black jelly clinging to the bureaucrat’s coat wriggled like an insect before being completely absorbed into the fabric and disappearing. Thankfully, the bureaucrat seemed oblivious to the fact that something had clung to him and then vanished while he was busy checking the paperwork related to the permission.
The bureaucrat’s expression was not pleasant. Though he had come out due to the pressure from Duke Toskur to meet, it was clear that the outcome of this meeting was predictable.
It was evident that no matter what magical stone invention someone from the Duke’s side presented, the approval from above would not be granted.
“Unfortunately, permission will not be given.”
The bureaucrat hesitated, perhaps worrying about Duke Toskur’s retaliation, and passed on the message.
“Yes, I understand.”
But that was the answer he expected. As Stilikov took back the documents from him without a second thought and prepared to leave, the bureaucrat looked puzzled.
If that was the case, why even agree to meet? He was already incredibly busy, and it felt forced to carve out time for a meeting that seemed unnecessary. Grumbling, the bureaucrat hurried back to where he needed to be.
The second expedition party was already heading outside the palace. Their task this time was to check on the condition of the Duchess, who had gone to rest in the Otaka Duchy, and ensure her safe return to the capital. The responsibility weighed heavily on them.
Seeing the bureaucrat hurry after the carriage carrying the expedition party, Stilikov also began to move. The traces of the magical stone he had attached were only valid for a day. He needed to follow behind the expedition before the traces vanished. Of course, he must not be detected.
It would be a tough task, but Stilikov didn’t mind. When had any task ever been easy? If it was something that had to be done, the best course was simply to work hard and stay silent.
To avoid detection, he had to maintain a slight time gap while moving. Just as he waited for the right moment, an unexpected figure appeared before him: Franz.
Franz was the one issuing the tasks, while Stilikov carried them out. Their roles had been established long ago. However, Stilikov was puzzled by Franz showing up at the place of execution.
“Your Grace, what brings you here?”
“I’ll personally follow the expedition party.”
“Your Grace, that’s too dangerous.”
If they were caught following, there would be no excuse. While Stilikov could find a way out if caught, being a mere aide, he could claim it was a personal action unrelated to Duke Toskur.
However, if Franz himself revealed his tail, the narrative would change. There would be no plausible deniability. Moreover, they were two men vying for the throne.
Given that Duke Albrecht had hidden the Duchess and child from someone, if the person directly involved began following bureaucrats, it would be tantamount to a public declaration of war. It would also signify that they were done waiting for good intentions and cordial voting among the electors.
“No, it’s more certain that I do this.”
Franz believed only he could fully control Celeste.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Celeste will only listen to me if I make the move myself. It won’t do any good if someone else goes.”
Her father had long ago made an unbreakable covenant with his daughter, swearing to give her soul to him in exchange for her life. The penalty for breaking the pact was death.
Celeste had done her best to get away from Franz and Marina when she was caught off guard, but that was it. She’d blabber on about how she’d lost her memory, but it didn’t matter.
Franz would see her again, and he would teach her a lesson. Your master is Naini, and if you don’t listen to me, you will die.
“If you’ve forgotten ……, just remind me again and that’s it.”
Get her back, get rid of Karl and the child, and ascend to the throne. That was Franz’s plan, and everything would fall into place.
If the process of retrieving her would interfere with his ascension to the throne, or if he couldn’t retrieve her, he might as well get rid of her.
Whereas before he had made threats to keep her and his position properly known, Franz was now genuinely thinking of harming Celeste. If he couldn’t have her, he might as well destroy her.
